2018 Kparty15 Mock v1 (Super Bowl Week)

[Kparty15]

*Disclaimer:  This mock is based off pre-combine rankings.  I am anticipating that either Keenum or Bradford will leave on a big contract which will give us a compensatory pick next year.  In this scenario Sam Bradford and Case Keenum are interchangeable depending on which one our front office is more comfortable with so whatever happens to one of them you can just pretend it is the other if that is your preference.  I know my cap space numbers aren’t perfect and they are just a rough estimate for the most part.  I used sportrac.com for my estimations.

 

-2018 NFL Salary Cap – $178 million (Projected to be in the range of $174-$178)

-Minnesota Vikings Top 51 Contracts – $138.2 million

-Estimated Salary Cap Space For Top 51 Contracts (Start Of Offseason) – $57.1 million

 

 

Cuts

-----------------------------------------------------------

DT     Sharrif Floyd (Saves $6.7 million)

C       Cornelius Edison (Saves $630k)

OT     Aviante Collins (Saves $550k)

Estimated Salary Cap Space After Cuts – $65 million

 

 

Retired

-----------------------------------------------------------

OG     Joe Berger (Saves $0)

DE     Brian Robison (Saves $3.5 million)

CB     Terence Newman (Saves $0)

Estimated Salary Cap Space After Retirements – $68.5 million

 

                                       

Expiring Contracts Leaving

-----------------------------------------------------------

QB     Sam Bradford     (Vikings will likely receive a 3rd round Compensatory Pick)

RB     Jerrick McKinnon

RB     Bishop Sankey

RB     Mack Brown

OG     Jeremiah Sirles

DT     Tom Johnson

DT     Shamar Stephen

LB     Emmanuel Lamur

CB     Tramaine Brock

LS      Jeff Overbaugh

 

 

Extensions/Restructures

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These are projected extensions that will not affect the cap until next offseason.  Anthony Barr’s $12M cap hit for his 5th year option this year has already been accounted for.

 

WR     Stefon Diggs – 5 years, $65 million ($13M per year)

DE     Danielle Hunter – 5 Years, $60 million ($12M per year)

LB      Anthony Barr – 5 years, $60 million ($12M per year)

LB     Eric Kendricks – 5 years, $50 million ($10M per year)

Estimated Salary Cap Space After Extensions/Restructures – $68.5 million

 

 

Expiring Contracts Resigning

-----------------------------------------------------------

I am going to project the Vikings signing Bridgewater first to a long term contract that has an out after the first year.  Then I will have the Vikings place the Franchise Tag on Keenum to give us a backup plan for Bridgewater.  It is an expensive backup plan, but the Vikings will be able to sign him to a cheaper long term deal if Bridgewater doesn’t work out.  If Bridgewater does work out then the Vikings will have an opportunity to trade Keenum in Training Camp or at least get out of the contract after the first year.

 

QB     Teddy Bridgewater – 6 year, $96 million ($16M per year)

QB     Case Keenum – 1 year, $23.5 million ($23.5M per year)

WR    Michael Floyd – 2 years, $6 million ($3M per year)

OG     Nick Easton – 1 year, $2 million ($2M per year)

CB     Marcus Sherels – 2 years, $4 million ($2M per year)

S       Anthony Harris – 1 year, $1 million ($1M per year)

K       Kai Forbath – 2 years, $2 million ($1M per year)

Estimated Salary Cap Space After Resigning’s – $20 million

 

 

Free Agency

-----------------------------------------------------------

 

Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, 6’4”, 315 lbs, 28 years old, Temple

-Estimated 4 years, $40 million ($10 million per year)

The Vikings could use an upgrade on their defensive line.  Tom Johnson is an undersized pass rush specialist that is a huge liability in the run game.  Adding another prototypical DT would make our defense even better than it was last year.  Muhammad Wilkerson was once one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL.  He is currently in the middle of a 6 year contract with the Jets that averages $17.2M per year, making even more money than JJ Watt, but there is a very good chance that he is released this offseason.  Over the past 3 years Wilkerson has had tardiness issues and been benched for rules violations.  He has been given a reputation for being an overpaid and underperforming player.  Wilkerson is a talented enough player that he will still get a fairly large contract despite everything, but he will not see money even close to what he was averaging.  Even an unmotivated Wilkerson is still a significant upgrade from Tom Johnson and Shamar Stephen, but if there is any chance of rekindling what Wilkerson once was then Zimmer is one of the few people capable of doing it.  I’m sure that being a part of a winning program and not having to go against Tom Brady twice a year would be a nice change of scenery for Wilkerson.  I think the Vikings would be able to sign him to a contract that has incentives to keep him motivated.  Although Wilkerson has been an effective DE in a 4-3 scheme it is my belief that he has been playing out of position and is better suited to a 4-3.  Wilkerson has reached double digit sacks twice in his career and can be equally effective against the run.  His addition would give the Vikings their best DT tandem since the ‘Williams Wall’.  No offensive line in the league would be able to push around a defensive front including both Muhammad Wilkerson and Linval Joseph.

 

 

Darqueze Dennard, CB, 5’11”, 205 lbs, 26 years old, Michigan State

-Estimated 4 year, $20 million ($5 million per year)

With Terence Newman’s departure the Vikings will have a big hole to fill.  The Vikings do have Mackenzie Alexander to absorb some of those snaps, but a 4th CB is still important so that they can be rotated and kept fresh.  Mike Zimmer likes large and physical CBs that can be effective against both the pass and the run.  While Dennard did play for the Bengals he was not there at the same time as Mike Zimmer.  However since the Bengals run a nearly identical defense to the Vikings he will already be very familiar with our scheme.  The Bengals recently lost their defensive coordinator to the Raiders so that could decrease the Bengals chances of resigning him.  Dennard also is very good friends with Trae Waynes from their time together at Michigan State and may be interested in playing with him again.  Dennard is a former 1st round pick from 2014.  During the first few years of his career Dennard was starting to be consider a bust, but finally this past season something clicked and he started to play much better.  Since Zimmer is a bit of a CB guru there is a good chance he could get even more out of Dennard.  Dennard was most successful for the Bengals playing out of the nickel, but he is also capable of playing any of the CB spots in man or zone coverage.  After Munnerlyn I can’t see Zimmer wanting to bring in another short CB and Dennard isn’t the tallest CB, but he is almost 6’ and he weighs almost as much as a safety.  One thing that every CB in a Mike Zimmer needs to be able to do is tackle and Dennard is makes plenty of those.

Estimated Salary Cap Space (After Free Agency) - -$5 million

 

 

Draft Picks traded and Compensatory Picks received prior to the draft

-----------------------------------------------------------

The Minnesota Vikings traded pick 4.133 to the Philadelphia Eagles for QB Sam Bradford.

The Minnesota Vikings traded pick 7.248 to the Seattle Seahawks for CB Tramaine Brock.

The Minnesota Vikings receive two Compensatory picks, 6.214 for Cordarrelle Patterson and 6.217 for Adrian Peterson.

 

 

Vikings Draft Picks

-----------------------------------------------------------

1.30

2.62

3.94

5.169

6.207

6.214 (Compensatory Pick)

6.217 (Compensatory Pick)

 

 

NFL Draft

-----------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Trade:  The Minnesota Vikings trade pick 1.30 (620) = (620) to the New York Jets for picks 2.37 (530) + 4.103 (88) = 618.

 

 

2.37. Billy Price, OG/C, 6’4”, 312 lbs, 22 years old, The Ohio State

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP1qwuFu5FQ&t=498s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atNu40NeGNk

-Improving the offensive line is one of the Vikings biggest priorities this offseason.  With Joe Berger likely retiring this offseason we will need to find a new starter at RG.  I am projecting several players like Isaiah Wynn and Brian O’Niell to get drafted before the Vikings first pick so they opt to trade back in the draft.  Billy Price played center for the Buckeyes this past season, was named the Big 10 offensive lineman of the year, and was recognized as the best center in all of college football by winning the Rimington Trophy.  Prior to his time playing center Price played RG next to our very own Pat Elflein.  The chemistry that Price and Elflein have from playing next to each other in college will be very valuable at the next level.  Price is a very similar prospect to Elflein, but Price is even stronger and will likely test better at the combine.  Over the past few years Ohio State has continued to produce high quality, intelligent, and technically refined prospects.  This past season the Vikings offensive line had a noticeable drop off whenever Pat Elflein had to leave the game, but Billy Price would be able to slide right into the center position without missing a beat.  There is no guarantee here, but with Elflein and Price having familiarity it may slightly increase the Vikings chances of retaining both long term.

 

 

2.62. Frank Ragnow, OG/C, 6’5”, 319 lbs, 21 years old, Arkansas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9uMW2mLf4U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ-auHuKgLs

-Now I’m sure that there will be some people that won’t be too fond of drafting back to back OG’s with our first two picks especially after we are retaining Nick Easton.  I’m sure I’m not the only one who noticed this past season that despite Nick Easton being an upgrade over Alex Boone he still had his limitations.  I think that Ragnow will be able to step in as the starter at LG from day one.  Drafting Ragnow and Price will give our roster 4 different linemen (Elflein, Price, Ragnow, and Easton) that can play every position on the interior offensive line.  It is good to have competition for starting spots and I’ve always envisioned Easton in a role similar to what Joe Berger had early in his career being the primary backup for all interior OL positions.  It made me feel sick the past few seasons knowing that when one of our starters gets hurt that Sirles is the primary backup.  I’ve seen enough of the Vikings trying to fix the OL with late round prospects like Sirles and Clemmings who they think they can develop.  I want the team to bring in experienced and intelligent OL prospects which is exactly what Ragnow is.  We’ve seen from our playoff game against the Eagles how important a great offensive line can be.  Ragnow is an excellent blocker who frequently drives his guy into the ground.  Ragnow, Elflein, and Price will make Dalvin Cook nearly unstoppable.  Ragnow has been referred to as a technician that can be dominant in both pass and run blocking.  Ragnow didn’t give up a single sack through his first two years in college.  He was considered by many as a day one draft prospect prior to the 2017 season.  Frank Ragnow is a home grown Minnesotan talent that graduated from Chanhassen High School and is from Victoria, MN.  Ragnow comes from a family of Viking fans which could help us in keeping him long term and his last name almost sounds like a Viking name.  Ragnow has experience playing OT in high school.  Ragnow was invited to the Senior Bowl, but had to decline his invitation because he had surgery for a high ankle sprain.  With this selection the Vikings interior OL will be set for the next 10 years.

 

 

3.94. Rashaad Penny, HB, 5’11”, 220 lbs, 21 years old, San Diego State

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98HqRF3INqY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73RLuFRZuMM

-Again I’m sure there will be several people skeptical with drafting a third string RB this high and wondering why we can’t just resign McKinnon instead.  I believe that McKinnon will get a good sized contract this offseason and that might force the Vikings to look somewhere else at that position.  Latavius Murray is already 28 years old and could be on a different team in 2-3 years.  Penny has many traits of a 3 down running back.  He has very good technique as a runner and can make plays inside and outside of the tackles.  Penny is a good pass catching back who can break off a big play.  One area where Penny struggles is in pass protection, but he will be allowed to sit behind Murray until he is better at that.  Rashaad Penny’s play style reminds me a lot of Dalvin Cook.  Dalvin Cook and Rashaad Penny could be a deadly 1-2 punch for years to come.  Another reason why I can justify drafting a third HB this high in the draft is because Penny is an excellent special teams player who has found success with both kick and punt returns.  Marcus Sherels is already 30 years old so now could be a good time to start looking for his future replacement.  After having Cordarrelle Patterson and Marcus Sherels the past few years it will be a nice change of pace having a returner that isn’t just a special teams ace, but can also excel at their skill position.  I think that Penny will likely get drafted at the end of the third or beginning of the fourth round because he is a smaller school prospect that didn’t go against much top competition and there are about 6-7 running backs projected to be drafted before him this year.  Other good running back prospects who have gone in this range in recent years include David Johnson, Devonta Freeman, and Tevin Coleman.

 

 

4.103. Tarvarus McFadden, CB, 6’2”, 198 lbs, 20 years old, Florida State

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0yNgpNTRoQ

-If Tarvarus McFadden falls like he is projected to then he seems like the exact type of pick that Mike Zimmer would pound the table for.  Similar to Jayron Kearse a few years ago McFadden has great physical traits, but he sometimes he has mental lapses.  He is a very raw underclassmen that probably should’ve returned to school for another year especially since there are a lot of CB prospects projected in the first two rounds this year.  In 2016 McFadden was led the nation with 8 interceptions.  Unfortunately for every big play that McFadden makes it seems like he gives up an even bigger mistake.  If there is anyone that can refine his technique and teach him to play the game better it is Mike Zimmer.  McFadden will fill Tramaine Brock’s role in our defense as the fifth CB allowing Sherels to continue to focus on special teams.

 

 

5.169. Jaylon Ferguson, DE, 6’5”, 256 lbs, 22 years old, Louisiana Tech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ULRV1b3kmI

-Jaylon Ferguson is another underclassmen that probably should’ve gone back to school for another year.  He is built just like Danielle Hunter was coming out and will need to bulk up if he wants to be able to defend against the run.  Ferguson had a down year in 2017 with only 7 sacks and 9.5 tackles for a loss.  In 2016 though he flashed his real potential recording 14.5 sacks, 16 tackles for a loss, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 passes defended.  He is currently projected to go between rounds 4-6 and could be a very good developmental prospect for us.

 

 

6.207. Alex Cappa, OT, 6’7”, 305 lbs, 23 years old, Humboldt State

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1IUK-prOqA

- Alex Cappa has great size to play offensive tackle in the NFL, but he needs to improve his strength and technique.  He is a Division 2 prospect that doesn’t have much experience playing against top competition, but he performed well enough to get an invite to the Senior Bowl and performed well in the practices.  He is worth a flier in the late rounds as a developmental prospect.

 

 

6.214. (Comp Pick) Nathan Shepherd, DT, 6’5”, 300 lbs, 24 years old, Fort Hayes State

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaZXOD7MFDQ

-Nathan Shepherd is another Division 2 prospect who had a good enough season to get an invited to the Senior Bowl.  Shepherd was dominant in practice throughout the week and was one of the only defensive lineman capable of beating Will Hernandez in one on one drills.  Unfortunately for Shepherd he broke his hand during practice and was not able to participate in the actual game.  He is a slightly older prospect because he sat of college for two years for personal reasons.

 

 

6.217. (Comp Pick) Nick DeLuca, LB, 6’3”, 248 lbs, 22 years old, North Dakota State

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd7QPwSxV6I

-Nick DeLuca is a big time sleeper in the draft this year.  DeLuca has been a very productive linebacker during his time at NDSU, but he has missed time with injuries.  If DeLuca can ditch the injury bug he has the potential to be a special teams ace or maybe even an NFL starter.  He can play MLB or OLB and reminds me a bit of Ben Leber.  He played in the Senior Bowl this year.

 

 

53 Man Roster

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Offense (25):

QB: Teddy Bridgewater // Case Keenum // Kyle Sloter

RB: Dalvin Cook // Latavius Murray // Rashaad Penny

FB: CJ Ham

TE: Kyle Rudolph // David Morgan // Blake Bell

WR: Stefon Diggs // Jarius Wright // Stacey Coley

WR: Adam Thielen // Laquon Treadwell // Michael Floyd

LT: Riley Reiff // Rashod Hill

LG: Frank Ragnow //

C:   Pat Elflein // Nick Easton

RG: Billy Price // Danny Isodora

RT: Mike Remmers // Brandon Parker

 

Defense (25):

DE: Everson Griffen // Tashawn Bower // Jaylon Ferguson

DE: Danielle Hunter // Stephen Weatherly

DT: Linval Joseph // Jaleel Johnson

DT: Muhammad Wilkerson // Nathan Shepherd

LB: Anthony Barr // Eric Wilson

LB: Eric Kendricks // Kentrell Brothers

LB: Ben Gedeon // Nick DeLuca

CB: Xavier Rhodes // Darqueze Dennard // Tarvarus McFadden

CB: Trae Waynes // Mackenzie Alexander // Marcus Sherels

FS: Harrison Smith // Anthony Harris

SS: Andrew Sendejo // Jayron Kearse

 

Special Teams (3):

LS: Kevin McDermott

P: Ryan Quigley

K: Kai Forbath

 

 

Salary Cap:  http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/cap/

Prospect Rankings:  https://www.drafttek.com/Top-100-NFL-Draft-Prospects-2018.asp

Trade Value Chart:  https://www.drafttek.com/NFL-Trade-Value-Chart.asp

Compensatory Picks:  https://overthecap.com/projecting-2018-compensatory-picks/

[Heimdallr]

The problem with the QB plan is that the franchise tag is due before free agency starts, so if we tag Case, why would Teddy want to come back here? He could go to a number of teams where he would either be uncontested or be the front-runner to be the starter (at least for this year). He isn't going to want to compete with someone that is due more money than him. 

At least that is how I would feel if I was Teddy.

Now, if the NFL decides to toll his contract and he is stuck here, I could see the team franchising Keenum to keep both here for one more year (or trading Keenum)

[Kparty15]

3 minutes ago, Heimdallr said:

The problem with the QB plan is that the franchise tag is due before free agency starts, so if we tag Case, why would Teddy want to come back here? He could go to a number of teams where he would either be uncontested or be the front-runner to be the starter (at least for this year). He isn't going to want to compete with someone that is due more money than him. 

At least that is how I would feel if I was Teddy.

Now, if the NFL decides to toll his contract and he is stuck here, I could see the team franchising Keenum to keep both here for one more year (or trading Keenum)

I’m pretty sure that we are able to extend Bridgewater before free agency starts since he is our own free agent.  So in this situation we would extend Bridgewater before free agency and then put the tag on Keenum.

[Cearbhall]

I would be working to get Bridgewater under contract first too. I also would be looking to franchise Keenum after getting Bridgewater under contract.

Love the DeLuca pick. Would love rooting for him on the Vikings. NDSU has won 6 of the last 7 national championships. The one they missed last year was largely related to DeLuca missing most of the year including the championship game.

[RJWSkol24]

Really like the draft.  A meat and potatoes start which could really set the foundation for the offensive line for years to come.  Penny is a luxury pick, though a great value there.

I don't know how I feel about the quarterback situation.  I don't hate it and can see some value in a best man wins situation.  Maybe I just need to warm to it.

Not a fan of adding Mo Wilkerson.  By many accounts, he just kind of checked out and played sloppy.  Not the type of guy I want to throw big money at.  If adding a former Jet DL with some question marks, I vastly prefer Sheldon Richardson.

[Vikes_Bolts1228]

29 minutes ago, RJWSkol24 said:

I don't know how I feel about the quarterback situation.  I don't hate it and can see some value in a best man wins situation.  Maybe I just need to warm to it.

 

I want them to go into 2018 KNOWING who their QB is.

We had enough QB drama last year with Bradford being an unknown for the first half the season then Teddy coming back making for more drama the second half of the season.

I don't care for another season of that.  Pick a guy, whoever it is, he's your guy going into camp.

[Kparty15]

8 minutes ago, Vikes_Bolts1228 said:

I want them to go into 2018 KNOWING who their QB is.

We had enough QB drama last year with Bradford being an unknown for the first half the season then Teddy coming back making for more drama the second half of the season.

I don't care for another season of that.  Pick a guy, whoever it is, he's your guy going into camp.

I may not have explained it well enough, but in this situation the team is going in to the season with Bridgewater as their QB.  Keenum is just an insurance policy and as long as Bridgewater looks good through OTA’s and Training Camp then Keenum will likely be traded for an early draft pick in 2019.

[Heimdallr]

Getting both Price and Ragnow would be beyond amazing. Cook would be able to run for DAYS.

[BWG VIKE]

Thats alot of resources into the QB position, Teddy may have only earned himself around 16M pre injury so I think that may be a little rich. I can't see us using the tag on Keenum to be a back up, if we use the tag on him he is viewed as the starter moving forward.

 

Bradford signing else where doesnt exactly mean a comp pick, we could sign the top gaurd and cancel it out. 

[Morleericks]

I do like the off-season in general. Good job. 

I don't like the signing of Bridgewater but if that is what the front office chooses to do, then so be it. I agree with you on keeping Keenum but I would spend an early pick a QB.

 

I do like the draft however. I wouldn't be too upset taking O linemen. Fills a big need and that would only help Case improve on next year.

 

[Cearbhall]

25 minutes ago, BWG VIKE said:

if we use the tag on him he is viewed as the starter moving forward

I don't know that he would be. Was Matt Casell viewed as the Patriots starter going forward when they tagged him? I agree with the suggestion that he'll be trade bait if Teddy is looking good. If Teddy isn't looking good he becomes the starter.

For that reason, I don't offer Teddy that long of a contract but length is meaningless without knowing guarantees. I would be looking for a 2 year deal with Teddy. If he proves to be the starter, I pay the man what he is worth later without hesitation. I don't try to hold him to a $16M a year contract he signed this year if he is looking like the guy in a couple years.

[Vikes_Bolts1228]

3 hours ago, Kparty15 said:

I may not have explained it well enough, but in this situation the team is going in to the season with Bridgewater as their QB.  Keenum is just an insurance policy and as long as Bridgewater looks good through OTA’s and Training Camp then Keenum will likely be traded for an early draft pick in 2019.

Oh no no...I got completely what you were doing in the mock.

I was just replying to someone who wanted hinted at wanting a QB battle during the pre-season. Something I don't want in the least.

[Kparty15]

This is what I like to hear!  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/01/30/eric-kendricks-teddy-bridgewater-was-throwing-dimes-on-us-in-practice/

[RJWSkol24]

13 hours ago, Vikes_Bolts1228 said:

I want them to go into 2018 KNOWING who their QB is.

We had enough QB drama last year with Bradford being an unknown for the first half the season then Teddy coming back making for more drama the second half of the season.

I don't care for another season of that.  Pick a guy, whoever it is, he's your guy going into camp.

I most definitely agree.  In this scenario, I have a hard time seeing it play out without a good level of controversy.  Maybe there is some drama with Case signing the tag.  Maybe I am not looking at it from the right angle; just seems it would dominate camp headlines.

[Purplexing]

Too much money put at risk on players with a great amount of uncertainty surrounding them; Bridgewater and Wilkerson.

An OT at the top of draft (30th) after signing a quality vet OG in FA would solidify the OL much better than over-filling OG/C.

Spielman the Pickumulator has a tendency (lately) to fill top needs in FA, giving him the flexibility to trade up or down, and take BPAs in the draft.  So, I see a CB, OG, and DT signed in FA.

I like the variety of positions you addressed.  But not the order in the draft.

I don't believe the roster will be turned over as much as you project; e.g. 1 or 2 of the Vikings free agents you said would leave will likely be retained, for continuity and chemistry factors.

I don't see more than 1 of the top 3 QBs retained, with Sloter being the immediate backup until a mid / late round QB is drafted, or a vet FA QB is signed AFTER the draft.